ProSiebenSat.1 plays ‘Hunger Games’

German net secures sequel options

BERLIN — ProSiebenSat.1 has won German free TV rights to “The Hunger Games.”

Gary Ross’ sci-fi actioner about post-apocalyptic teens battling to the death on live television has remained at the top of the box office charts in Germany, where it has earned $9 million since its March 22 start.

According to Ruediger Boess, ProSiebenSat.1’s senior VP group programming acquisitions, the film was pricey but worth it.

Boess saw an early cut of the film and knew the broadcasting group had to have it, he told German newspaper Handelsblatt, adding that the broadcaster paid a seven-figure sum for the pic.

ProSiebenSat.1 also secured an option for sequels — “The Hunger Games” is based on the first book in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy.

The group’s ProSieben channel will likely air the pic in 2014.

The Lionsgate hit, which Studiocanal is distributing in Germany, opened last month with $214 million worldwide.

Lovefilm Germany, meanwhile, has exclusive SVOD streaming rights for “The Hunger Games” as part of its content deal with Studiocanal, which it signed last year.